RESEARCH

2024 Candidate Experience Report

2024 has been a unique year for the job market.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, we’ve experienced the Great Resignation, economic uncertainty, high borrowing rates, and a year of layoffs. The outlook for 2024 already feels more optimistic, but still represents uncharted territory.

Some of the biggest trends set to impact the talent landscape include the rapid rise of generative AI; the ongoing battle between remote, hybrid, and in-office work; the rise of skills-based hiring; and a shift towards an increasingly employer-driven job market. 

How are these trends impacting job seekers today? This report reveals their thoughts, feelings, and preferences based on a survey of 2,516 job candidates from around the globe.

Candidate experience matters, no matter what the economy or job market looks like. It’s just as critical as ever to understand what candidates want and need from work. The results in this report provide insight into what HR and talent leaders can start doing today to win over top talent.

Key Findings from the Report:

  1. 44% of job candidates say competition for jobs is too high. This number rises to 53% for workers in tech. Candidate sentiment suggests we’ve entered into an employer-driven job market.
     
    44% of job candidates say competition for jobs is too high
     
  2. 34% of candidates assume they’ve been ghosted after just 1 week! 38% of candidates report being ghosted by an employer in the last year, and the vast majority of candidates assume they’ve been ghosted two weeks of no communication.
     
  3. More than a quarter of candidates say they’ve experienced bias in an interview. 64% of candidates also say that the biggest mistake an interviewer can make is to ask inappropriate or personal questions.
    Key Findings - Candidates experience bias during interviews
     
  4. Job candidates want career advancement above all else. When asked to rank their priorities for their next role, one-third of candidates ranked “more opportunities for career advancement” in the number one slot.
     
  5. Job candidates aren’t afraid of AI. The majority of candidates feel either neutral or positive about employers using AI in the hiring process. They also expressed interest in using AI themselves to find and apply for jobs.
    Key Findings - Candidates arent afraid of AI
     
  6. Only 41% of job seekers think a college degree is “very important” in today’s job market. With the rise of skills-based hiring, the college degree may be losing some of its shine, particularly with US-based job seekers.